Success Story BPW Bergische Achsen
BPW Bergische Achsen accelerates SAP S/4HANA transformation and optimizes processes sustainably with HONICO BatchMan
Management Summary
BPW Bergische Achsen KG, a leading provider in the commercial vehicle industry, used BatchMan Workload Automation to efficiently revise and transfer its SAP jobs and other system automations in the course of the S/4HANA migration.
The introduction of BatchMan Workload Automation during the migration to SAP S/4HANA led to a noticeable relief of the SAP Platform team, which was thus freed up for other important project activities in an extremely tight time frame for the S/4 migration.
As a result, BatchMan was able to transform existing operating system or database-dependent automation into operating system and database-independent no-code solutions. The BatchMan automation solution optimized the efficiency, transparency and control of SAP job processes and proved to be an accelerating factor for system migration and long-term operational stability.
Industry:
Use Case: Parallel implementation of S/4HANA & SAP control to optimize operational processes.
Advantages: Optimized SAP control and accelerating factor in S/4HANA transformation.
Product: BatchMan
Initial situation at BPW Bergische Achsen: Parallel implementation of SAP S/4HANA and BatchMan
An S/4 migration project was carried out at BPW Bergische Achsen KG in 2023. For BPW, the shortest possible time frame for the entire project was of crucial importance. It was therefore important to carry out all necessary activities in the project as efficiently as possible.
Previously, job control at BPW was implemented decentrally in the respective SAP systems. This meant, for example, that cross-system job chains could not be represented.
The associated documentation was organized decentrally. An empty shell approach was chosen as the migration method for the S/4 systems, which means that no data or jobs were transferred to the new system. The existing system automation used operating system scripts, most of which were not executable under the new Linux operating system and/or the HANA database.
BPW was looking for an optimal solution to transfer existing automations to the S/4 systems as efficiently as possible and to operate them there securely and transparently in the future.
Requirements for the automation solution
BPW Bergische Achsen had clear requirements for the automation solution:
- Integration with S/4HANA: Automated and smooth transfer of jobs from the legacy system to the new environment.
- Transparency through documentation: Central and up-to-date documentation of jobs in the system.
- Central monitoring: Comprehensive monitoring of all processes for rapid problem detection and alerting of the responsible teams.
- Flexible scheduling: Extended options for flexible and detailed job scheduling.
- Replacement of operating system scripts: Introduction of a no-code solution to simplify processes and increase efficiency.
- Optimization of process controls: Job chains should be able to be defined across systems between SAP and non-SAP systems.
Project progress and implementation: Efficient changeover and central control
BPW decided to convert all existing jobs in the old system to BatchMan jobs. This meant that existing jobs could be converted into BatchMan jobs. Jobs with numerous steps were converted to job chains – across systems if required.
Step-by-step implementation in the S/4HANA environment at BPW
Due to the ambitious schedule in the S/4 project, BPW’s customer wanted to start implementation directly in the productive legacy system after a proof of concept and a few further tests. Converted jobs were subjected to a quality and process check there. In addition, the jobs were included in monitoring at the same time and an alert was set up for those responsible for the job. Particular emphasis was placed on the comprehensive optimization and automation of existing job processes.
Step-by-step integration and optimization of job processes
- Migration and integration: At the time of the go-live on the new S/4 systems, all newly created BatchMan processes in the old system were exported and imported into the new environment so that they were available in time for the restart of production.
- Optimized processes: Instead of time-controlled jobs with buffers for data transfer, event-driven process chains were implemented to ensure seamless and efficient process control. In addition, the HONICO File & Data Manager (FDM) was integrated to centrally manage file transfers and operating system scripts and ensure consistent end-to-end processes.
- System-internal documentation: All jobs were documented centrally and directly in the system, ensuring transparency and up-to-dateness.
- Central monitoring: Central monitoring of all SAP jobs was introduced, enabling a prompt response to faulty processes.
Installation and initial use
The installation of BatchMan was accompanied by an experienced specialist, which ensured a smooth introduction. BPW Bergische Achsen benefited from the close cooperation with HONICO, especially during the implementation of the first use cases. The BPW team was then able to configure the remaining jobs independently and put them into production. For special use cases and for quality assurance, BPW was always supported quickly and unbureaucratically by HONICO Support.
Conclusion
With BatchMan, BPW Bergische Achsen KG was able to save a significant amount of time when transferring jobs from the legacy system to the S/4 environment. This was particularly the case with operating system or database-dependent automation. Another major benefit of the new system is the new possibilities of a modern workload automation solution:
- Central system for managing cross-system processes
- Monitoring and alerting of process owners for a faster and more direct response
- Documentation directly on the job definitions in the system
- Comprehensive trigger options for starting job chains (different variants for time control or event control, e.g. when a file is stored)
About BPW Bergische Achsen Kommanditgesellschaft
BPW Bergische Achsen Kommanditgesellschaft is the parent company of the BPW Group. With around 1,500 employees, including around 100 trainees, the family-owned company has been developing and producing complete running gear systems for truck trailers and semi-trailers at its headquarters in Wiehl since 1898. BPW’s technologies include axle systems, brake technology, suspension and bearings. Millions of trailer axles and running gear systems made by BPW are in use worldwide. A comprehensive range of services also offers vehicle manufacturers and operators the opportunity to increase the efficiency of their production and transportation processes.
